The U.S. government has hidden important information from the public yet again.

Previously unknown until early 2013, the 8th edition of the CIA's style guide surfaced on social media last week.

Despite being intended to guide both creators and analyzers of government intelligence, the document helps us plebeian writers, to0. Even Strunk and White, the godfathers of writing style, lent their expertise for it.

The guide explains general grammar and punctuation rules (finally addressing the ubiquitous who vs. whom question). But it also includes general tips and preferences.

Although the guide offers relevant advice for all writers, it does so in a fashion that seems typical of the CIA. Naturally, the document dedicates three pages to the use and capitalization of titles, with an added emphasis on hierarchy. It also includes a noticeable level of patriotism, as the Guardian notes, by insisting writers "Americanize" British spellings, even as proper nouns.

Here are some other strange points:

Don't capitalize the "w" in Vietnam war because it was "undeclared," just like the Yom Kippur war and the Falklands war. (I had to Google both.)

Treaties that haven't been ratified don't get the uppercase treatment, either. Write "Treaty of Paris" but "Kyoto treaty."

Casualties, surprisingly, refer to all persons injured, captured, or missing in action, as well as those killed.

"'Disinformation' refers to the deliberate planting of false reports. 'Misinformation' equates in meaning but does not carry the same devious connotation.'" (Whatever that means.)

Avoid using "feel" as a verb in writing, as it can convey agreement or emotions. Instead, use "calculate" or "estimate."

Use "fear" only to describe "strong emotion, not a vague concern, an uneasy feeling, or an ill-defined skepticism."